My friends threatened to revoke my man card for liking it, but I'll let my review do the talking:
http://www.autotraderclassics.com/car-article/Classic+Reviews+_+2012+Fiat+500-84792.xhtml
I think I summed up the experience pretty well: "But how does it drive? Like an office chair strapped to a go-cart, that's how."
Cool review. Looks like Fiat has figured out how to make small, fun cars again which IMHO was a skill that they had misplaced in the late nineties/early 2000s for a while.
I am oddly tempted to buy one of those. I am pretty sure the ridicule I face in my Miata would be nothing compared to what I'd get in the Fiat.
I thought about buying one of these last week when my trusty minivan finally died for good. I never did even look at one as the thought of traveling 70 miles to the nearest dealership every time something went wrong seemed daunting. I also just got the wife a Fiesta in April and the didn't think 2 sub-compacts for the family was the best idea.
Ended up with a Cruze instead. I hope I made the right decision. I still think Auto-x'ing a 500 would be a blast though.
I've considered one for a replacement of the MINI when/if that happens.
Great review! I did finally get to see one driving down the road, but couldn't get a close look. I'm interested in one too, and would love to drive one. My wife thinks I'm crazy. 
I drove one on the handling track at Chrysler's Chelsea proving grounds yesterday – loved it.
I drove a Fiat 500 sport a coupe weeks ago and had the same impressions!
At the time I drove one with an auto. If it makes the final cut and I go back for a second drive I will definitely try it out with the manual --the auto eats up too many hp's and torques moving the car around...
On that note -- are we getting any of the Abarth versions here?? That would definitely slide the scales towards me getting one!
Love the car, hate the gauge cluster. 
Oddly enough, we haven't seen any here. I would think with how helpful we were with MINI that there would be more interest with Fiat. I asked a few contacts at Chrysler but they weren't really 'in the know' on the Fiat end of things here in the states.
My dad likes them too. He's thinking about getting one to complement the rest of his weird little cars.
No Fiats at all on your press fleets, or no Abarths? Weird. There were about four of them in Michigan yesterday for press to drive, from cabriolet to 500c. Although they've been in Canada for a couple of months now, it was my first time behind the wheel - and I've got one for a week next month. I was happy to discover that it could steer – I've been really disappointed by cute, small cars lately.
Still waiting on the 500 Abarth!
Nice review!
I noticed a Fiat dealership getting put in nearby here in Sacramento. The girlfriend did not quite comprehend why I was so excited.
This site:
http://www.fiat500usa.com/2010/01/us-fiat-500-abarthhow-much-horsepower.html
Says:
Chrysler has just released their specifications on the 1.4L MultiAir engine that will equip the Fiat 500 Abarth. The 1.4L MultiAir Turbo will be rated at 170hp, that's up from the standard European spec'd version with 135hp and even up from the optional Esseesse version with 160hp. The US version 1.4-liter FIRE Turbo with Multiair 170 horsepower (128 kW) @ 6750 rpm 170 lb.-ft. (231 Nm) of torque @ 3000 rpm
and:
This is good news for us who are waiting patiently for the Abarth version, which is currently expected fourth quarter 2011/beginning 2012.
It seems like they're actively going for a quiet rollout that lets the cars speak for themselves (pretty much the opposite take of MINI). This may be smart in an uncertain market. The only TV ads I have seen for these have been local, as Portland has one of the early Fiat dealerships. Funny thing is, despite the fact that I see them everywhere, the closest MINI dealer is an hour and a half away.
aircooled wrote: This site: http://www.fiat500usa.com/2010/01/us-fiat-500-abarthhow-much-horsepower.html Says:Chrysler has just released their specifications on the 1.4L MultiAir engine that will equip the Fiat 500 Abarth. The 1.4L MultiAir Turbo will be rated at 170hp, that's up from the standard European spec'd version with 135hp and even up from the optional Esseesse version with 160hp. The US version 1.4-liter FIRE Turbo with Multiair 170 horsepower (128 kW) @ 6750 rpm 170 lb.-ft. (231 Nm) of torque @ 3000 rpmand:This is good news for us who are waiting patiently for the Abarth version, which is currently expected fourth quarter 2011/beginning 2012.
Eeeeeeeeeeee!!!!! 
deapbreaths
Okay, now that I got over my Abarth excitement (more than the Esse Esse?!?!!? Awesome!!!), I still maintain that if the 695 Tributo Ferrari was brought here, I would immediately buy one. I don't care that it's FWD (which I generally dislike) or that it doesn't have a clutch pedal, I have an irrational love for that car.
But a 170HP Abarth with a 6-speed would seriously tempt me! What is they do a US Esse Esse?? 200HP life the 695?!?!????!!?
I need some water...
I know this is not the U.S. version but still . . .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpAFi9nIJVQ
I'd love to have one. Ridicule away
I see a racing series in its future...and who's going to market the first aftermarket turbo bump-up kit,.....
Brian, I really appreciate your perspective in this review. Quite refreshing.
Per Schroeder wrote: Oddly enough, we haven't seen any here. I would think with how helpful we were with MINI that there would be more interest with Fiat. I asked a few contacts at Chrysler but they weren't really 'in the know' on the Fiat end of things here in the states. My dad likes them too. He's thinking about getting one to complement the rest of his weird little cars.
Per, we've got a dealer here in Winter Haven with a lot full of them. Surely the two hour trip would not be a burden to you guys.... http://www.fiatusaofwinterhaven.com/index.htm?p=401
alex wrote: Brian, I really appreciate your perspective in this review. Quite refreshing.
Thanks Alex. When they handed me the keys I told them I wasn't going to do a standard review. Let the other guys kvetch over dash materials, seat heaters and NVH. I drive old cars on a regular basis (my other DD is a '75 Duster). Once you get past all the bells & whistles the big question is do you ENJOY the car.
This is the first review I have done like this, but it won't be the last. I think it is about time that someone reviewed cars from a different viewpoint. When I was driving a 2011 FX35 the other night I started drawing a connection to the AMC SX/4. Nobody said I was sane....
And yeah, GRM really needs to do a review of this car in a bad way. This is not a Mini. It is a much different drive and I think will make a great autocrosser. GRM needs to put it on the track and get some real numbers.
My standard 500 comment goes here - 6'2" with a 34" inseam and my head was hard against the headliner. For more average size humans the Abarth could be amazing, provided it doesn't try to rip the wheel out of your hand worse than the early Mini S I recently drove.
No love for torque steer?
Jeremy Clarkson (Top Gear, Series 13, Episode 4) said: "Asking the front wheels of a car to do their normal job of steering while handling, let's say, more than 170 brake horsepower, is like asking a man to wire a plug while juggling...penguins, while making love...to a beautiful woman, while on fire, on stage, in front of the queen. It's all going to go wrong."
pigeon wrote: My standard 500 comment goes here - 6'2" with a 34" inseam and my head was hard against the headliner. For more average size humans the Abarth could be amazing, provided it doesn't try to rip the wheel out of your hand worse than the early Mini S I recently drove.
And I'm 6' with a 32" inseam and had room for a helmet and about 3" to spare. You must be long waisted.
pigeon wrote: My standard 500 comment goes here - 6'2" with a 34" inseam and my head was hard against the headliner. For more average size humans the Abarth could be amazing, provided it doesn't try to rip the wheel out of your hand worse than the early Mini S I recently drove.
Crap I am the same size.
You'll need to log in to post.
